Man jailed for 14 months after giving girlfriend herpes

A man has been jailed for 14 months after he knowingly gave his former girlfriend genital herpes.

David Golding, 28, was sentenced to the jail term at Northampton Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. Mr Golding, a Highways Authority traffic officer, contracted the sexually transmitted disease from a former partner.

The 24-year-old victim was diagnosed with herpes two months after starting a relationship with Mr Golding in July 2009. Despite this Golding did not admit to having the condition, only eventually disclosing his culpability shortly before the couple split months after.

The victim complained to police about contracting the disease after Golding was arrested on an allegation of assaulting her. Golding had initially claimed to have been given the all-clear from a screening clinic.

Sentencing Golding, Judge Michael Fowler said his initial refusal to admit passing on herpes “placed uncertainty in her life and caused suspicions to be cast onto others”.

Judge Fowler added, “The injury you (Golding) caused her by this infection is at least or more serious than an injury leaving a scar because it carries continued recurrence, extreme discomfort and consequences for relationships she will have in the future”.

The incurable disease forms lesions on the genitals which can cause painful itching and burning.